Improvement in fastenings for pocket-books, satchels



E SGHNOPP Fastening for Pocket-Books, Satchels, Sac. No. 212,270. Patented Feb. 11,1879.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

ERNST SOHNOPP, OF EAST NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN FASTENINGS FOR POCKET-BOOKS, SATCHELS, &c.

Spec fication forming part of Letters Patent No. 212,270, dated February 11, 1879; application filed January 3, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNST SOHNOPP, of East New York, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Fastenings for Pocket- Books, Satchels, 850., which invention is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side view of a pocketbook, partly in section, containing my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the clasp and frame when shut. Fig. 3 is a similar section thereof when it is open. Fig. 4 is a top View of a portion of the clasp, showing the lockinglatch. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of a pocketbook, showing a modification of my invention.

My invention relates to means for fastening pocket-books,portmonnaies, and other like articles; and it consists in a sliding U-shaped clasp, which is arranged on the free edge of one'of the sides or walls of the pocket-book, and is adapted to embrace the free edge of the other or adjacent side or wall thereof, the direction of its movement being transversely to the outer edge of the book, so that when this clasp is moved to an inner position the said two sides or walls of the pocket-book are thereby firmly held shut, and when the clasp is moved outward a sufficient distance the sides or walls are free to be spread apart or opened. With the sliding clasp is combined a lockinglatch,which is attached to the face of the clasp, and is arranged to engage with a staple projecting from one of the walls of the pocketbook, so that the clasp is adapted to be locked. With the clasp is also combined a handle or hail, the ends of which are attached to the face thereof, so that this handle has two functions, one being to carry the pocket-book, and the other to move the clasp to an outer position.

In the drawings, the letters A B designate two sides or walls of a pocket-book, and O is a sliding clasp combined therewith according to my invention. The clasp O is bent lengthwise to correspond to the shape of the outer or upper portion of the pocket-book, and'on its upp er part-n amel y, that part thereof which runs parallel with the top edge of the pocketbook-it is shaped like the letter U in crosssection, a portion of the clasp being cutaway at each end, giving that portion thereof the shape of an L. It is essential to cutaway one side of the clasp at each end, as last stated, in

order to free the end parts or edges of one of the walls held by the clasp. In the end parts of the clasp O are formed slots a, running in a direction transversely to the open or top edge of the pocket-book, through which slot-s the top edges of the sides or walls are eX- I posed, as shown in Fig. 1, or are covered by a flap, as shown in Fig. 5. My clasp, moreover, may be made in one piece or in sections.

In Fig. 1, I have represented a portion of the clasp G in an inner position and a portion thereof in an outer position, these two positions being those to which the clasp must be brought when it is desired to close or open the pocketbook.

When my clasp is combined with a pocketbook of the character shown in Fig. 1, I use therewith a latch,D, and also a handle or bail, E. The latch D may be arranged in different ways, and in the example shown it is pivoted to the face of the clasp, as at c. This latch is situated adjacent to a staple, f, which is secured to the top edge of the wall,carrying the clasp O, and which protrudes from a hole, 9, formed in a suitable part of the clasp, when the latter is brought to an inner position, so that when the latch is swung in the proper direction it engages with the staple f and the clasp is locked.

If desired,a locking-latch may be combined also with the clasp of the book represented in Fig. 5; but since the clasp is held down sufficiently tight for all purposes by the flap of the pocket-book there shown, it is not essential to employ a latch for this purpose.

The handle E is flexible, and it is provided with enlargements h h at its ends, whereby it is confined in loops "5 i, attached to the face of theclasp O. This handleE constitutes a means for carrying the pocket-book, and may be so used when the clasp O is locked, while, when the clasp is released, the handle may be used to draw the clasp to its outer position.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a pocket-book, of a sliding U-shaped clasp, which is arranged on the free edge of one of the sides or walls of the article, and is adapted to embrace the free edge of the other or adjacent side or wall thereof, the direction of its movement being transversely to the outer edge of the book, substantially as shown and herein described.

2. The combination, with a pocket-book, of a U-shaped clasp, arranged as specified, and a latch adapted to lock said clasp, substantially as herein described.

3. The combination, with a pocket-book, of a U-shaped clasp, arranged as specified, and a handle or bail attached to said clasp, substantially as shown and described, and for the object specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 31st day of December, 1878.

nansr SOHNOPP. n s.]

Witnesses W. HAUFF, OnAs. WAHLERS. 

